On Monday, the 129 members of the National Assembly unanimously endorsed a significant constitutional revision proposal. This initiative, championed by the Pastef movement, aims to bolster the authority of both the Parliament and the Prime Minister, while simultaneously redefining the responsibilities of the President of the Republic. However, critics from the head of state’s coalition and several opposition factions contend that this reform is specifically crafted to benefit Ousmane Sonko, who transitioned from former Prime Minister to his current role as President of the National Assembly. This situation prompts crucial questions: Are these allegations truly substantiated? What prompted President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to decide on submitting this text to a national referendum? Is this merely a democratic consultation, or a calculated political maneuver?
